Karachi: A young man buried himself alive
allegedly on instructions of his fake spiritual leader, in a
case that highlights the growing menace of superstition in
Pakistani society.

The incident took place in Nankana Sahib in the
Punjab province and the young man Safdar Hussain was only
saved after his parents realised after burying him for nearly
48 hours that he would suffocate to death.
"Safdar has not been keeping well for years now and
despite many medical treatments he remains unwell.

So he went to this Pir Bhutta in Multan who has a
reputation o curing people with such chronic illnesses,"
brother of the victim, Altaf said.

He said that Pir Bhutta had ordered Safdar to
remained buried for two weeks as part of a "Chila" and he
would be cured of all illnesses permanently.

"My brother was desperate and my parents also agreed
to this form of Chila and helped bury him in the courtyard of
our house two days ago," Altaf said.

TV channels showed visuals of Safdar explaining how
he survived in his grave by inserting a thin bamboo pipe from
the grave for breathing.
PTI